Multicolored electric flashlight



8, 1953 H. B. MITCHELL 2,662,224

MULTICOLORED ELECTRIC FLASHLIGHT Filed Aug. 18, 1950 r'lllll/llllll/INVENTOR.

I/d5 Mme/1 A TTORNE Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED STAT'ELE FATLENT()FFICE '2;662,224 amends rt-reducer l ioward Mitchel l, Larkspur,Calif. Application is, 19tjseiia1ivaia1ti 1 'Glaim. (01. 3415-421) Thisinvention relates to improvements in electric hash lights or the kind inwhich a removable battery of dry cells is connected and disconnected atwill to sn npandeseem lairip fror'n which the light is reflected in agiven direction.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a variablelight changing means slidably mounted relative tothe lens of theflashlight, whereby the color characteristics of the light beams emitted bythe flash light may be readily changed. H

A further object of the invention is the provision of a manuallyactuated cap that will instantly and easily change the color of thelight beams from the preferred colors of red to white and vice-versa.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel mounting ofthe actuating rod for the colored cap relative to the lens of the flashlight and to provide an unique seating for the cap when it is moved toits seating pos1t1on within the confines of the reflector of the flashlight.

An additional object of the invention is the production of a variablelight changer that can be readily adapted to the construction ofstandard flash lights, is economical to manufacture, positive inoperation, strong, durable and highly efiicient in use.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration isshown the preferred and modified forms of the invention. I

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a flash light to which my invention isapplied, the view being partially shown in cross section,

Fig. 2 is an inverted view of a modified form of the invention,

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the same,

Fig. 4 is an inverted view of the form of the invention disclosed inFig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view disclosing to advantage theactuating rod and colored cap of the device.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration likenumerals refer to like parts throughout the same, the numeral 8indicates a battery enclosing casing of any desired configuration andherein illustrated as cylindrical and equipped with a circuit closer 9of conventional construction. To the upper end of the casing there issecured as at In a hood H illustrated as increasing progressively indiameter.

It will be noted that the said hood is externally threaded as at l2 andhas threadedly connected therewith an internally threaded ring l3. Thesaid hood and ring serve as a housing for the elec't'iic bulb "M, a'parabol'i'c'al metallic reflector f5 and the red colored cap [6 of thepresent in"- vention. Any suitable support as at 1'6 can be provided forthe bulb M. The said reflector is provided at its base with a circularopening I! through which the bulk l4 protrudes. Itis obvious that thesocket of the bulb will be electricall'y connected to the batteries l8for the desired illumination of the bulb when the circuit "closer orswitch 9 is actuated. i

The lens of the invention is indicated by the numeral I9 and consists ofa circular plate of clear plastic material as generally employed inflash lights. This lens rests on the upper marginal edge of thereflector and is detachably secured thereto. 'Said lens is equipped witha central aperture 26 to permit the passage therethrough a plasticcylindrical rod 2|, that is equipped at its upper extremity with afinger hold 22 that serves as a stop to prevent the passage of the rodentirely through the lens opening 26. To the lower end of the rod thereis mounted the top surface 23 of the cap [6. This cap is preferably of acylindrical configuration and has a lower open end of a slightly greaterdiameter than that of the bulb in order that the bulb can be encompassedwhen the cap is moved downwardly by the application of finger pressureto the rod.

The numeral 24 indicates a centrally apertured dome-shaped bead of clearplastic material that is suitably moulded to the upper surface of thelens and so positioned relative thereto that the bead aperture registerswith the central opening in the lens, thus assuring ease of movement ofthe rod as it passes partially through the lens. The said bead functionsas a reinforcing guide for the rod and tends to hold the cap inalignment with the bulb. To complete the structure lugs 25 are mountedto the bottom surface of the lens and are circumferentially positionedand spaced apart to provide a friction seat for the cap when the sameassumes the full line position as illustrated to advantage in Figs. 1and 5.

In the modified form of the invention as disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3 ofthe drawing, instead of employing the lugs 25 of Fig. 1, a plurality oftriangular shaped vanes 26 with integrally formed legs are provided andcircumferentially spaced on the under surface of the lens. Each leg isequipped on its inner surface with a nub 21, the nubs serving totemporarily retain the cap in the position of Fig. 3, until it passesdownwardly over the bulb when the rod 2| is actuated.

In either form of the invention and in either position of the cap, thelatter serves as a shield to cast the light beams from the bulb on themetallic reflector. Accordingly when the rod 2| is moved upwardly to itsfull line position of Fig. 1, a clear white light will be diffused.There will be a negligible showing of red that will be entirelydissipated or will disappear when viewed from a distance. The red ca inthis position will in no way diminish the efliciency and effectivenessof the light beams.

When the cap moves downwardly to the dotted line position of Fig. l tothus cover the bulb, a complete red light will be emitted when cast fromthe now colored red reflector.

While I have mentioned the color red as the constituent color of thecap, it is obvious that the cap could be made of varied colored lightsfor any desired purpose. The use of the red colored cap will be mosteffective and serviceable in converting a white light to a red lightwhen danger is imminent, for instance when an automobile accident occursand it is desired to flash a warning signal. The underlying principle ofthe invention of a variable colored light also has a splendid field ofuse in a variety of signalling devices, for instance railroad lanterns,and can also be used in illuminated toys.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown anddescribed are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and thatvarious changes relative to the shape, size, material and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a flashlight, the combination, with a lamp, a casing and a reflector,of an apertured lens mounted in the upper end of the casing, said lensbeing made of clear plastic material, a red colored cap having a closedupper surface and an open bottom and transparent sides and being mountedbeneath said lens, means for manually actuating said cap to cover anduncover the lamp to alternately cause red and white light beams to beprojected through said lens, said means comprising a rod moveablethrough the apertured lens, and guide means for said rod comprising atransparent apertured bead mounted on the upper surface of said lens,the aperture of said bead adapted to coincide with the aperture of saidlens.

HOWARD B. MITCHELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,273,026 Dircksen Feb. 17, 1942 2,361,480 Joffo Oct. 31, 19442,431,091 Thomas Nov. 18, 1947 2,434,741 Hefner et al Jan. 20, 19482,486,998 Szeklinski Nov. 1, 1949

